Khumba

With a nod to the spirit of The Lion King, director Anthony Silverston has crafted an uplifting coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the African plains.

On the Great Karoo, in the heart of Southern Africa, a spirited foal named Khumba (Jake T. Austin) is born into the zebra herd — but to everyone's surprise, he's missing half his stripes! Misunderstood and bullied for being different, Khumba is blamed by the superstitious lot, including his own father, Seko (Laurence Fishburne), for the drought that threatens their survival. Feeling shunned, and stirred by the legend of a magical waterhole, Khumba ventures beyond the safety of the herd's fence in search of his stripes.

Alone in the wild, Khumba is threatened by danger at every turn, including the wheeling-and-dealing wild dog Skalk (Steve Buscemi), but finds friends in the unlikely pair of Mama V (Loretta Devine), a motherly wildebeest, and Bradley, a self obsessed ostrich (Richard E. Grant).

Armed with only friendship, determination, and a map drawn by a mystical mantis, the trio embarks on an adventure across Southern Africa, with its harsh and thorny scrublands, blistering salt pans, and majestic mountain ranges. New friends aren't all they find however: the greatest threat looms as they are tracked by the menacing leopard, Phango (Liam Neeson), who not only controls the waterholes and terrorizes the animals in the Great Karoo but has developed a particular interest in Khumba.

The beauty and poignancy of this visually stunning 3D animated film is in its simple yet undeniably powerful story. Khumba will enthrall children and families alike with its diverse and vibrant cast of characters and valuable messages about individuality and self-acceptance.

ELIZABETH MUSKALA

This film is recommended for ages 7 and up. N.B. Potentially scary scenes (animal death) for younger audiences; use of tranquilizer gun